I. Introduction:
It is important for wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because these professionals are trying to help individuals with all sorts of ailments. If the professional is lacking in an area; clients at times can tell and will not respect the information given or partake of the activity suggested. So in short, the professional will not be taken seriously. We professionals are fit in these areas of their lives, it shows and people can sense on a subconscious level that what the professional is saying is correct.
Truthfully, I need more development in all three aspects of wellness. I am slowly coming back into my spirituality which in turns helps my psychological aspect. The hardest aspect for me to work on is the physical. That is because of my thought process that I have no time. Seeing that I recognize the dilemma, I know that I can overcome this obstacle and once again be physically active and in shape like I was a few years ago.
II. Assessment:
In an earlier assessment I rated myself a 3 for physical, 3 for psychological, and a 5 for spiritual wellness. I would state by the end of this course I could indeed rate myself a 5 for physical- eating better, less caffeine intake, and walking more, 5 for psychological- not letting people get on my nerves, meditating more, and being more patient, and a 7 for my spiritual wellness- I have started proactively searching out my spiritual needs and addressing them one at a time. This course has really helped me realize the importance of every aspect in my life and to also realize to not take anything for granted.
III. Goal Development:
The goals I have to work on the physical aspect are to actually partake of yoga, martial arts, and walking on a regular basis- at least 4 days a week. For the psychological wellness, I want to continue my meditation and my daily quiet times so that I am able to relinquish a lot of my stress that my career and family put on me. Finally, to address my spiritual wellness, meditation is still a big role player. It quiets the mind so that I am able to hear the needs of my spirit and to hear wisdom from my higher power and those past that may want to present some form of knowledge unto me. I still practice prayer and have started reading again on spiritual subjects that I feel led to find out more information on.
IV. Practices for Personal Health:
An exercise that comes to mind can help to achieve greater physical, psychological, and spiritual wellness is yoga. Yoga helps the body stay strong and flexible by stretching and strengthening the muscles, controlling the breathing, and helping the equilibrium or balance of an individual. Yoga also helps psychologically because a practitioner of yoga needs to focus on their breath for the greatest stretch and to be able to tell when their body is at it maximum potential so as not to hurt themselves. When being able to control the breath, the mind slows down as well and allows the entire body to relax even while physically exerting yourself. Lastly, yoga helps with spirituality with the quieting of the mind. When the mind is quiet, the soul can speak. Yoga has spiritual aspects to it imposed in the yoga moves themselves. It was and is a way for the practitioners or yogis to commune with their deities. There is a peacefulness in the practice of yoga that allows the body and mind to reflect and renew the spirit. It is almost as with each stretch and breath you are able to thank and talk with your soul and with the deity of your chosen faith.
Another exercise that could allow an individual to develop greater physical, psychological, and spiritual growth would be the martial arts. In the martial arts the mind is stilled so the body is able to perform with power, accuracy, and precision and allow our mind to know when and when not to use the martial arts. The martial arts also allows for the growth of strength, agility, and confidence. Spirit is able to experience peace and to speak to the individual partaking of the sport or exercise usually through the act of meditation. Martial arts are not only used for defense but also for building a strong mind, body, and spirit.
V: Commitment:
Within the next 6 months I will track my progress by making a schedule and doing my best to stick to it. I will schedule time to exercise, meditate, pray, read, and find quiet time. When I am unable to practice what I have scheduled, I will write it on my scheduler that I missed a session and jot down why I missed it. I will then attempt to correct the reason for missing my “appointments”. It may be a little weird to think of them as appointments but for me if I do this then I know they are vitally important and to not put them away for a later date. However, I perceive that these “appointments” will become so much of my life that they will become second nature and I will no longer need a scheduler.
That is great that you have improved on your assessments since the beginning of the class and I am sure that you will continue to improve as you continue on in life. You have the knowledge, now you just have to work at it. I think you have some great goals that you want to achieve and I wish you luck in the process.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have rated all aspects with true honesty. Your idea to read up on spiritual subjects is something that may also work for me. I decided I was going to work on my prayer for increasing my spiritual self, but I think I may incorporate a little reading as well. So thank you for that idea. I also like your idea of incorporating yoga, because you are right that it helps all aspects of health. I used to incorporate yoga a few times a week but the yoga DVD I own and love is 90 minutes long. It’s my favorite yoga class and it’s in my own home, but I cannot find the motivation to spend 90 minutes on it like I used to. Would you go to a yoga class or do it in your own home? I haven’t yet attended a yoga class so I think I may incorporate that in as well. Maybe if I sign up for a class I’ll have more motivation in attending rather than waiting on myself to do it at home.
ReplyDeleteHi Tonya,
ReplyDeleteI really like that you do martial arts. I took up Hapkido for a while and I loved it. It really is something that helps your mind-body-spirit all at once.
I think that it's a great idea to schedule your activities but an even better idea to state why you may have missed them. I want to journal so I can understand how I feel everyday when I do what I wanted or didn't do it.
I think I will add the scheduling to my efforts too. That way I can not only see how I feel but why I may not have done what I scheduled. It will be an easy snapshot to look to if I put it on the same calander I have my girls school stuff on. Thanks for the idea!
Yoga is awesome and once you get a few poses down you can do them any time. You can do them in 15 min. spurts here and there and it will still be beneficial. I notice I feel like I run out of time at the end of a day too. I will do tree pose while I'm cooking or watching the morning news sometimes- it sounds silly but it works!
great paper!
Becki